Mixed results for EMPS in last quarterBlog 8/25/2003 Post a commentRecently, indicators have been pointing to the prospect of stronger economic growth. For example, consumer and business confidence is up, electronic equipment shipments and orders have improved, and GDP rose 2.4% in the second quarter.

Designing ICs for the Healthcare Market: Beyond Business Tools and ToysBlog 8/20/2003 Post a commentAbout 15 years ago, contributors to a special article section on the future of semiconductors were asked to speculate on what dramatic capabilities we were likely to see in the systems-on-a-chip on or about the turn of the century. One contributor thought we might see a "cure for aids on a chip." David Hightower's vision was unusual, but, as it turns out, he isn't the only one thinking about health care industry uses for semiconductors. Reno Rossetti, our trend spotter at Fairchild Semiconductor

Interviewing 101 with today's twistBlog 8/6/2003 Post a commentIn today's results-oriented business environment, it won't be your drippy nose or frayed cuffs the interviewer will be staring at. "What have you done for me lately?" applies to the job candidate as well as the 20-year employee. Our veteran analog recruiter suggests figuring out fast what a prospective employer really cares about, and control the interview by showing how you can accomplish just that.

It's Time to Return to 10x PassionBlog 8/6/2003 Post a commentAs the leaders of the high-tech industry emerge from their bubble bust and
lingering budget hangovers, they will once again start yearning for the good old
days when their EDA suppliers were focused and were investing in the next 10x
gain in productivity and predictability.
The truth is that achieving the next 10x will take innovation and conviction.

Why We Don't Have IP Quality YetBlog 8/6/2003 Post a commentIP quality has now become an overall issue in the IC industry, because the
predictions that organizations like VSIA made back in the mid 1990s have become
reality. The combination of the convergence of electronic products, coupled with
the relentless march to chips that can contain tens of millions of gates today,
is making the integration of internal and 3rd party IP the only economically
viable way to create the next generation chips.

Comment: For SMIC, the rumblings of an IPOBlog 8/4/2003 Post a commentRumor has it that Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) has signed up Credit Suisse First Boston and Deutsche Bank for a $750 million IPO on the Hong Kong and New York Stock Exchanges in early 2004, if the markets hold up.